Harrelson Trumpets is very excited to be partnering with The Roots of Music to collect instrument donations for the kids of New Orleans. We first learned of this organization at the Satchmo Summerfest last year. This is a little about what they do directly from their website:"The Roots of Music fills a void in music education programs in New Orleans schools. Marching bands were once an integral part of New Orleans middle schools, but many schools discontinued their music programs for this age group after Katrina. Today, The Roots of Music serves over 100 students, making up a full marching band that has successfully paraded the city since Mardi Gras 2009.

Our program provides music history and theory as well as instrumental instruction and ensemble performance preparation. We also provide academic tutoring, mentoring and homework assistance. We serve kids ages 9-14 from low-income households — and to reduce common barriers to participation for this population, we also provide our students with round-trip transportation and a hot meal 5 days a week, 12 months a year.

Participation in The Roots of Music is free for all students. Program hours are Monday through Thursday 4-7pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm. The program is located in the heart of the French Quarter at The Cabildo, a Louisiana State Museum property in Jackson Square."We'd like to call on our network of brass players to help put instruments in the hands of the people that really need them. We all know someone that has an instrument sitting in their closet collecting dust. We hope that by creating enough momentum in our network of teachers, players and music lovers we can fill the needs of this organization. Their current wish list is as follows: 40 Trumpets15 Mellophones10 Marching Baritones10 Euphoniums10 Trombones6 Tenor Saxophones10 Alto Saxophones10 Clarinets4 Piccolo Flutes10 SousaphonesAll brass and woodwind mouthpiecesWe will personally collect and service these instruments at the Harrelson Shops in Minneapolis and Denver and hand deliver them at Satchmo Summerfest this August in New Orleans. To learn more about this amazing organization you can visit their website here: http://therootsofmusic.org/If you don't have an instrument to donate but still would like to help out... you can do so by making a donation directly to them on their website here: http://therootsofmusic.org/donate/Please pass this on to your network of band directors, musician friends and teacher... together I know we can exceed their goal... one instrument at a time. If you have any questions about donating or logistics please feel free to contact us at harrelsontrumpets@gmail.com or 651-330-7774. The deadline for donations is mid July. Satchmo Summerfest is July 31-August 3 and it's a fantastic event! For more information on attending the festival... visit their website: http://fqfi.org/satchmosummerfestAnd because New Orleans is a magical musical city... this even is always FREE and open to the public.